# NTSB SEA91LA090: Piper PA-22-108, N1567Z, Auburn, WA, April 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1991, 21:20 local (Apr 20, 1991, 04:20 UTC)
- Place: Auburn, WA
- Location: 47.3046° N, 122.2105° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Auburn, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3046&lon=-122.2105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41416
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41416/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA090

## Probable cause

AN IMPROPER FUEL SELECTOR VALVE HANDLE, IMPROPER SELECTION OF THE FUEL SELECTOR POSITION, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR POSITION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - fuel system,selector/valve - improper (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHEN TURNING FROM BASE TO FINAL, SO HE LANDED IN A STREET.  HE SAID HE WAS SWITCHING FUEL TANKS AT THE TIME POWER WAS LOST.  THE FUEL SELECTOR HANDLE ON THIS AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN MODIFIED BY UNIDENTIFIED PARTIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1567Z (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-108
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-8825
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-C1B 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brian F. Zderic
- Departed: S43, SNOHOMISH, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 177 total, 12 in this make and model, 110 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 300° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: SEA, 7 nm away

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.